A hallmark of humanity is our ability to create art.

A practice that takes first-person subjective experience,

and translates it into reality through creative mediums,

something humans have done since ancient times,

word up to cave painters.

I was reminded how powerful this artistic lineage was

when I attended a workshop a few years ago following a performance,

where we discussed the power of poetry and art in changing the world,

and I genuinely believe it can change the world.

Why?

Because it articulates deep, human truths

especially in response to current affairs or anxieties,

often in a way that appeals to the senses and to aesthetics,

and connects to an audience through human emotion and feeling.

Authentic art carries power.

The greatest artists in history didn't just create beautiful facades,

they negotiated the deep-rooted nuances of the heart and psyche.

And their impact superseded artistic innovation,

into cultural revolution.

Take someone like Shakespeare.

He didn't simply write stories to entertain people,

he rewove the fabric of storytelling itself,

and how it could impact audiences,

by accurately reflecting the human experience

from multiple perspectives in the social hierarchy

unlike anyone, on that scale, before him.

This created story archetypes, invented countless new words and phrases, founded cultural organisations, sparked literary movements,

and cemented him as one of the most influential cultural figures in human history.

Another example affecting a different side of the world was 2Pac.

He wrote social justice anthems and poems which spoke for a generation of oppressed youth and women, African Americans, and the world.

The trend here is that art can transcend its own artifice,

and speak to something much bigger.

And this is where you come in, Reader.

Art is inherently human,

and I believe everyone is capable of producing it.

There is an innate power you feel when you finish a work,

and that power is because you created something.

I'm not saying you need to be a cultural innovator or activist in your craft,

rather I'm saying that everyone has a unique voice that deserves to be heard,

and with these voices come exchange of dialogue, education on perspectives, and understanding,

which is exactly what the world needs right now.

Creative Update

This past week has mainly been spent organising projects

for the next two months,

including my TedX Wolverhampton closing poetry performance.

Unfortunately, tickets for this event have sold out.

But good news for you,

the performance will be professionally recorded on the night,

and will be available online shortly after the live event

as all TedX Talks usually are.

Elsewhere,

I'm preparing an event that I'll be announcing closer to June-time,

which will be a chance for me to use my art for a good cause,

which is bigger than myself.

More on that later, and also a deeper dive into the idea of art changing the world.

The newsletter promised last week is on hold for now,

but will release in the near future.

Upcoming Opportunties

Applications are open for the Poetry School MA in Writing Poetry Scholarship 2026.

This is a full fee scholarship award to the Poetry School / Newcastle University MA in Writing Poetry for an outstanding UK-based applicant who is currently underrepresented in the poetry world.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY 29TH MAY, 5PM

Do you know a budding poet, storyteller, playwright or screenwriter? The Young Muslim Writers Awards 2026 is their chance to shine and win £100!

Whether they write poems, short stories, play scripts, or screenplays, this is their opportunity to showcase their talent and passion for the written word.

Open to young writers aged 16 and under from across the UK.

DEADLINE: MONDAY 15TH JUNE, MIDNIGHT

Thank you for reading this week's issue,

I hope you have a blessed week,

Bilal Psyche Akram